One of a kind Killarney business earns state-wide praise

WHEN the Killarney Co-operative Dairy Association formed almost 100 years ago its initial 41 shareholders had no idea it would evolve into a one-stop community hub.

What started as an ad hoc butter factory in 1921 has grown to include a FoodWorks supermarket, a Better Home Living furniture store, a CRT rural traders, a petrol station, a show shop and Home Hardware store.

All the while it kept its co-op structure, expanding the first offering of 41 shareholders to more than 2000 today, most of whom live in Killarney.

It is a focus on retail as a community service that led to the hardware wing of the co-op winning the Home Hardware Queensland Best Store under 1000sqm about two weeks ago.

Manager Bruce Halter said the award would not have been possible without the community's support.